Saturday-Pentacle

Saturday-Pentacle – Week 6 – 2018

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Saturday-Pentacle, Week 6 Issue

“Saturday-Pentacle”

Saturday-Pentacle - Week 21 - 2017

Throwback Post of the week –

I was going through my photo archives recently and it inspired me to share my old Benares posts. So here are my Benares Posts which are like a visual diary of my solo to Benares (Varanasi) in 2016. Even though it was almost a 5 days trip and 2 days are missing from these posts (even though I intend to recall those memories and write down about those 2 days), but still, it has most of the essence of what I went through on this journey.

Here is one of the first-day photos from that trip, when I immediately got exposed to an overwhelming ‘Antim Sanskar’ (last rituals) going on the Benares Ghats that evening, there is more of it in the above posts if you want to get the flavour of Benares.

Photo – Himanshu Sachdeva

My most popular Instagram post recently —

Photo no. 7
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Albert Hall
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Click the photo below to read the entire story.

Book I’m looking forward to reading —

Jasoda – Honestly, I had no idea about this book and the author Kiran Nagarkar, until last Saturday, when I was in Kala Ghoda Art Festival’s (2018) Literature Event, which is usually held in David Sasson Library gardens every year.

I had put this event on my festival day calendar (yes, you have to make a calendar schedule for this festival, because there is a lot which goes on in this festival and frankly you have to choose your time wisely) which was the book reading by Author for his new book ‘Jasoda’. I hadn’t heard either about this book or about the author earlier. But turned out that this was one of the mesmerizing events of the day. The author turned out to be pretty good with humour and sarcasm. He read a few excerpts from his upcoming book including the starting scene, which is too terrifying to describe. But it goes something like this (P.S.: it’s my words with the understanding from the conversation and not the actual excerpt from the book) –

Jasoda (the protagonist) is lying under a tree. Her kid is alongside her. Her water had just broke and she is delivering her baby just by herself. She pushes through with so much pain and soon the head of the baby is out. Then she pushes again and baby’s torso and the down body area comes out but legs are still stuck inside the vagina. As soon as she knows that it’s a girl. She didn’t let her out completely and gets the baby’s head in her thighs and chokes her to death.

Well, if that’s less horrendous then you must read the book. Kiran told us in the conversation that this event is from real life and actually happened some decades ago. It was so casual to kill a baby girl in that era that after killing the baby, Jasoda just went on with her usual routine like nothing happened. Phew!! (Taking a deep breath…)

What am I watching —

How to Wake Up at 4am Everyday: 4 Practical, Non-Hacky Ways – If you are fighting the need to wake up early, this video has some practical tips to help wake up pretty early in the morning without getting too cranky. (and yes I mean like “4 or 5 AM in the morning” early.)

By waking up early you get 2 potential advantages –

  1. You get 3-4 hours of ME time or the time you can just devote to yourself and your personal activities without actually having much of distractions, cause most of the world is still sleeping at that time.
  2. Secondly out of this ME time you can actually devote some time to working out and that sets a great tone for the rest of the day.

Quote I’m pondering on lately – Today’s quote is taken from one of the Kiran Nagarkar books ‘Cuckold’.

“There is no truer meditation than music and no journey of discovery greater than that of looking within.”

— Kiran Nagarkar, Cuckold

Until Next Saturday!

Thanks for reading.

Himanshu

A couple of things I could use your help with:

  1. Have a relevant topic, which I should be covering? Write to me directly or fill out this form and let me know.
  2. Join my reader’s list – It helps us a lot when you become a subscriber, it smoothens you experience on Lifestyle Architecture Lab. Being on email list provides you additional benefits like some exclusive content, webinar’s, free goodies and all of it will be FREE. Please click the link above to join now or put your email address in the below box and hit subscribe.

No spam, ever. Only great stuff.

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Saturday-Pentacle

Saturday-Pentacle – Week 5 – 2018

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Saturday-Pentacle, Week 5 Issue

“Saturday-Pentacle”

Saturday-Pentacle - Week 21 - 2017

A cause I’m supporting and want you to join hands –

Talawe Wetlands

Through my cycling group, I recently came to know about a devastating plan of the govt in Navi Mumbai. They want to build a golf course where there is a huge wetland (Talawe Wetland in Seawoods area).

A wetland is a land area that is saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally, such that it takes on the characteristics of a distinct ecosystem. It saves us in many capacities from the floods as well. As Mangrove trees play a major part in regulating the flooding.

In this particular wetland, many birds arrive through their yearly migrations. More than 80 types of birds have been seen in this wetland and around including Flamingoes, Kingfisher, Swift, Purple Sunbird, Jungle Crow, Bulbul, Coel and many more.

When I visited it recently while the Save Talawe Wetland movement, I myself saw this amazing trail which is right beside this wetland. I could see bio-diversified life and an amazing natural habitat for these birds.

Destroying the wetland to make a golf course seems like a very absurd idea when there is already a golf course in Kharghar which is less than 10kms away from this place and I think not many golfers are there to ask for two golf courses in a small area.

So we did protest by spreading awareness through running/cycling events and making a human chain. The main team who started this movement has started a Change.org petition for this movement and asking govt. to change there minds and also providing permanent protection to this area by marking it protected natural site.

Please support this movement and save our Talawe wetland. Follow the Facebook page for more updates.

Here is a video compilation of our 4th Feb wetland day event –

My most popular Instagram post recently —

Photo no. 6
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The bustling street of Jaipur.

Click the photo below to read the entire story.

Article I’m pondering —

The Principles Of Life That Everyone Knows, But Only A Few Follow – A great read from Darius Foroux. If anytime in your life you have felt existential crisis. This post may be helpful and if you are going through that crisis right now, may help you in navigating through it as well.

So open your mind and read this post.

What am I watching —

The last days of Osama Bin Laden – I recently watched this documentary on National Geographic where acclaimed journalist Peter Bergen, who is one of a small handful people to have met Osama, heads to Pakistan for answers on the ground. This multifaceted investigation reconstructs The Last Days of Osama Bin Laden.

This US operation to get Osama alive or dead was called the Operation Neptune Spear and was executed by a special Ops team made up of US Navy SEALs.

Click the title link for official page of Nat Geo and here is the unofficial YouTube link to this documentary –

Quote I’m pondering on lately –

“You need life to save you from what you want sometimes to give you what you really need.”

— Tim Ferriss (10th Anniversary review of The Four Hour Work Week Book)

Until Next Saturday!

Thanks for reading.

Himanshu

A couple of things I could use your help with:

  1. Have a relevant topic, which I should be covering? Write to me directly or fill out this form and let me know.
  2. Join my reader’s list – It helps us a lot when you become a subscriber, it smoothens you experience on Lifestyle Architecture Lab. Being on email list provides you additional benefits like some exclusive content, webinar’s, free goodies and all of it will be FREE. Please click the link above to join now or put your email address in the below box and hit subscribe.

No spam, ever. Only great stuff.

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Saturday-Pentacle

Saturday-Pentacle – Week 4 – 2018

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Saturday-Pentacle, Week 4 Issue

“Saturday-Pentacle”

Saturday-Pentacle - Week 21 - 2017

Post of the week –

Owly

This is a twitter client app. One of the best I’ve used till now. It’s not like your normal twitter client. It mainly focuses on decluttering your feed by showing almost 1 or 2 posts at once on the screen. Pictures are larger and fonts are totally customizable. Made me use Twitter more than before and in an amazingly productive way.

Curious?

Here is the android download link. Unfortunately, it’s not available for iOS yet.

My most popular Instagram post recently —

Photo No.5 from the #projectrajasthan
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Behind the scenes of photo no. 2 ‘Hawamahal Front’.

Click the picture below to read the entire story.

Movie I’m really excited for —

Lady Bird – I got to know about this movie when I was recently watching The Graham Norton show on Comedy Central (Don’t kill me I watch TV sometimes). Saoirse Ronan who is an Irish actress came as a guest on the show and I was surprised to see here wit. Quite a lot for a 23 years old girl.

But Damn! She is nominated for the Best Actress Oscars for this movie (Total 5 nomination including Best Actress and Best Picture). It’s the kind of a low budget which takes life on its own.

Plot of the movie (taken from Google) – An outspoken teen must navigate a loving but turbulent relationship with her strong-willed mother over the course of an eventful and poignant senior year of high school.

Looking forward to watch this one in the comings days. Here is the trailer to get your curious –

What am I listening to —

Winter Calm – Another amazing gem from Majestic Casual.

P.S.: It’s a 1-hour playlist. Amazing to write on to.

Quote I’m pondering on lately – A yoga quote for this week. Inspired by an Instagram post.

“Yoga is when every cell of the body sings the song of the soul.”

— B. K. S. Iyenger, January 1986

Until Next Saturday!

Thanks for reading.

Himanshu

A couple of things I could use your help with:

  1. Have a relevant topic, which I should be covering? Write to me directly or fill out this form and let me know.
  2. Join my reader’s list – It helps us a lot when you become a subscriber, it smoothens you experience on Lifestyle Architecture Lab. Being on email list provides you additional benefits like some exclusive content, webinar’s, free goodies and all of it will be FREE. Please click the link above to join now or put your email address in the below box and hit subscribe.

No spam, ever. Only great stuff.

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Saturday-Pentacle

Saturday-Pentacle – Week 3 – 2018

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Saturday-Pentacle, Week 3 Issue

“Saturday-Pentacle”

Saturday-Pentacle - Week 21 - 2017

Interesting fact of the week –

Common Swift (The Bird)

Recently I went on a trail walk at a place which was a bird sanctuary. It was my first exposure to the amazing world of Birds. We had a great Zoology student accompanying us, who knew a lot about birds.

Learned a lot about many birds including Common Swift (which is pictured above), Purple Sunbird, Common Kingfisher, Jungle Crow and many more. Common Swift was one of them which caught my interest. When I got home I search it on the internet and found out that it spends almost all of its life flying. Physically it is shaped like a boomerang.

Except when nesting, swifts spend their lives in the air, living on the insects caught in flight; they drink, feed, and often mate and sleep on the wing. Some individuals go 10 months without landing. No other bird spends as much of its life in flight. Their maximum horizontal flying speed is 111.6 km/h. Over a lifetime they can cover millions of kilometres.

How crazy is that, they do everything in flight. I can just imagine! Mating while flying? That’s nuts.

Most popular Instagram post recently —

Mirrors
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3rd photograph reflects a mirror work inside a cavity of Hawamahal. This mirror amazingly reflects the colorful windows from the iconic front.

Interview I’m enjoying (and pondering) —

Master Delegation as an Artist – Great to see Sara Dietschy Interviewing Gary Vaynerchuk and talking about mastering delegation as an artist and a creative and much more. Loved this interview.

What am I listening —

Interstellar – I’ve been listening to this Ambient mix Lately and it’s awesome.

Pro-Tip – Put a good headphone and turn off the lights and press play.

Dive into a different world. Or rather should say different Star.

Quote I’m pondering on lately –

“Begin at once to live, and count each separate day as a separate life.”

— Seneca

Until Next Saturday!

Thanks for reading.

Himanshu

A couple of things I could use your help with:

  1. Have a relevant topic, which I should be covering? Write to me directly or fill out this form and let me know.
  2. Join my reader’s list – It helps us a lot when you become a subscriber, it smoothens you experience on Lifestyle Architecture Lab. Being on email list provides you additional benefits like some exclusive content, webinar’s, free goodies and all of it will be FREE. Please click the link above to join now or put your email address in the below box and hit subscribe.

No spam, ever. Only great stuff.

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Saturday-Pentacle

Saturday-Pentacle – Week 2 – 2018

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Saturday-Pentacle, Week 2 Issue

“Saturday-Pentacle”

Saturday-Pentacle - Week 21 - 2017

App of the week –

Microsoft SMS Organizer – Clean, Blocker, Reminders & Backup

Found this tiny little app from Microsoft’s new initiative Garage. This app is made by a Hyderabad based team of Microsoft and is mainly made keeping Indian users in mind.

This app automatically separates promotional messages, OTP messages and personal messages etc. As a bonus feature it also makes your transactional messages gorgeous. If you get any sms stating your bank account balance or credit card bill details. It puts them into a separate screen and you can do a fingerprint authentication to reach there and quickly check your balance and to see last date of your credit card bill.

It works 70-80% better than other similar type of apps. Looking forward to use it more.

Here is the android download link. Unfortunately it’s not available for iOS yet.

My most popular Instagram post recently —

Mr. Bhajan Lal Bhatt
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This 4th photograph is of an old puppet show artisan.
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He showed us a great puppet (kathputli) show inside Hawamahal. Such a nice guy that I naturally talked to him and his kin as they were sitting playing dholki drums there. Got to know, that Bhajan Lal is doing these shows from almost past 5 decades.
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He entertained Kings, the democrats, the public, all of them. He said he used to travel a lot in his young days, he had traveled to most of the Indian states and big cities including Mumbai.
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I asked his kin don’t he want to do anything else than doing this puppet show. He said no, it’s their legacy. That is what they are known for. I couldn’t say anything but admire.
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If you go to Hawamahal don’t forget to see this puppet show, you’ll help save historic legacy too.

Interesting article I read —

How successful entrepreneurs balance Family & Entrepreneurship – A good insightful article. If you are an entrepreneur or not. This article definately fills you up with some good insight about a few successful entrepreneurs life and also few personal insights from the author about how he balance his work and life.

What am I watching —

The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel – My recent binge watch series. A woman named Mrs. Maisel get divorced and then do what his estranged husband couldn’t successfully do. Stand up comedy. Amazing and curious tale of Mrs. Maisel.

Quote I’m pondering on lately – Re-quoting Samuel Beckett. Because it inflects what I’m going through right now. Try, Fail, Try again.

“Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better.”

— Samuel Beckett

Until Next Saturday!

Thanks for reading.

Himanshu

A couple of things I could use your help with:

  1. Have a relevant topic, which I should be covering? Write to me directly or fill out this form and let me know.
  2. Join my reader’s list – It helps us a lot when you become a subscriber, it smoothens you experience on Lifestyle Architecture Lab. Being on email list provides you additional benefits like some exclusive content, webinar’s, free goodies and all of it will be FREE. Please click the link above to join now or put your email address in the below box and hit subscribe.

No spam, ever. Only great stuff.

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Saturday-Pentacle

Saturday-Pentacle – Week 1 – 2018

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Saturday-Pentacle, Week 1 Issue

This is 2018 and this is the first edition of Saturday-Pentacle for this year. I hope you all are doing awesome.

I finally was able to publish my new year resolutions post. That’s the first point in the today’s edition. Give it a read.

I’m sure you guys might have made some resolution last year, did you meet your goals? Have you created any new resolutions for 2018? Please comment on this post or reply me directly to let me know.

Wish you a great and healthy year.

Be well
Himanshu

“Saturday-Pentacle”

Saturday-Pentacle - Week 21 - 2017

Post of the week –

New year resolutions – 2018

Finally, I was able to list down my new year resolutions for 2018 and put up a report on the last year’s resolutions. Click the photo or link above to read the post.

My most popular Instagram post recently —

Hawamahal front
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2nd picture from this series is also the iconic Hawamahal. The front.
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This iconic Architecture includes so many doors which consists colorful windows accessible from inside.
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This structure is so massive and lacking a superwide lense, I had to go in the front street and climb a flight of stairs to reach a rooftop cafe (tattoo café i think) to take this photograph. It was an exciting adventure to get this shot.

Interview I’m enjoying (and pondering) —

Why habits matter – I found this interesting interview through one of my favourite authors ‘James Clear‘. In this interview, James sits to talk with Tech entrepreneur Nir Eyal to talk about habits (the good ones) and why they matter.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gk_yqsifeV0

What am I watching —

StartUp– I’ve been binge watching this series from 2016 on Amazon Prime Video. It’s high octane action drama involving startup, organized crime, drugs and gangs. All the elements which can raise your heartbeat if strike the right chord. This show certainly did. Here is the trailer to get you started.

Quote I’m pondering on lately –

“People look for retreats for themselves, in the country, by the coast, or in the hills . . . There is nowhere that a person can find a more peaceful and trouble-free retreat than in his own mind. . . . So constantly give yourself this retreat, and renew yourself.”

— MARCUS AURELIUS

Until Next Saturday!

Thanks for reading.

Himanshu

A couple of things I could use your help with:

  1. Have a relevant topic, which I should be covering? Write to me directly or fill out this form and let me know.
  2. Join my reader’s list – It helps us a lot when you become a subscriber, it smoothens you experience on Lifestyle Architecture Lab. Being on email list provides you additional benefits like some exclusive content, webinar’s, free goodies and all of it will be FREE. Please click the link above to join now or put your email address in the below box and hit subscribe.

No spam, ever. Only great stuff.

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Saturday-Pentacle

Saturday-Pentacle – Week 52 – 2017

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Saturday-Pentacle, Week 52 Issue

“Saturday-Pentacle”

Saturday-Pentacle - Week 21 - 2017

Product of the week –

Trek ‘N’ Ride Hydration Bag

This is a technical product so, if you are not a long distance runner or cyclist, this may be not helpful for you. You can move directly to next point.

But if you are, then this hydration bag must interest you. I got this bag as a very thoughtful gift and I love it.

This hydration bag has a capacity to hold 2 litres of water, some snacks, keys, wallet or some other small utilitarian stuff. This is especially useful in long runs (like 30kms+) or long cycle rides (50kms+). It has a pipe connected to the bag which hangs on your shoulder strap and you can sip water through the suction cap.

My dad quite interestingly compared this bag with the ancient times’ lather water bags which Karavan would carry to feed their thirst on very long journeys.

It made a very useful addition to my running wardrobe.

Here’s a link to this bag, if you find it interesting.

My most popular Instagram post recently —

Finally another exciting year came to an end.
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So many memories. So many places visited. So many people met. So many lives touched.
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What i learned the most from these memories?
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To be in the now.
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Cause when we look at these memories later, we shouldn’t regret a fake smile, controlled laugh or restricted love.
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This year was of smiling childishly, laughing hard, loving carelessly.
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Reflecting on the past year, sharing the best and most loved pictures and stories which moved me and you (my audience) both.
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Thank you to everyone who is part of my journey, for one heck of a year!
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Wohoo! Its 2018. Let’s do something big, let’s do something magical this year.
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Cheers to life.

Article(s) I’m enjoying (and pondering) —

Making sense of bitcoin, cryptocurrency, and blockchain – Bitcoin, Cryptocurrency, blockchain technology? You must have heard these words as there is very much hype around them from past few years. But 2017 was a major year for Bitcoin, it soared unlike anything else we have ever seen. Bitcoin rose 1289.22 % YoY from BOD of 1st Jan 2017 to EOD of 31st Dec 2017.

Makes you exciting?

Bitcoin might be a missed train right now. But you gotta cleanse your perspective and look at the technology which powers Bitcoin. That is blockchain. Here’s an interesting infographic from the above article, which explains all about blockchain and cryptocurrency.

Of course, other applications of this technology fades away when we see the mountain of wealth with these cryptocurrencies. But there is always the other side. Like a photo frame, which is all glossy and good looking from the front side with a beautiful picture in it. But on the backside, there is nothingness of hardboard and metal clips.

So what is the other side of cryptocurrency? I think if I see around here in India, the first thing I notice is the legitness of it, second the trustworthiness of the crypto exchange companies. But more importantly, the currency itself. Apart from Bitcoin and few other good ones like ripple or ethereum, I don’t see trust in the market in other currencies. Who knows if black money is being laundered through one of those currencies?

Well that’s all about cryptocurrency. But blockchain as a technology, that’s what makes me look forward. I’ve heard a few countries testing it for their voting process as well.

The future is already here. The train is passing my friends, either you hop on or fear a miss-out. What would you do?

I’m reading/watching/listening to —

Transcending Time | Interstellar’s Hidden Meaning Behind Love and Time – I’ve always have been a lover of science+faith mix films. The Christopher Nolan movie Interstellar is exactly that kind of movie and the cast of this movie Matthew McConaughey and Anne Hathaway gave one of their best performances of there career. But what moved me more was the concept of the film and how Christopher Nolan put real scientific facts behind ‘Black Holes’, ‘Time Bending’ and ‘Interstellar Travel’ kind of concepts.

This video explains a lot of the things and how Love is closely knitted with Time in this movie and as concepts altogether. Hope you enjoy it. I did.

Quote I’m pondering on lately –

“Do every act of your life as though it were the very last act of your life.”

― Marcus Aurelius

Until Next Saturday!

Thanks for reading.

Himanshu

A couple of things I could use your help with:

  1. Have a relevant topic, which I should be covering? Write to me directly or fill out this form and let me know.
  2. Join my reader’s list – It helps us a lot when you become a subscriber, it smoothens you experience on Lifestyle Architecture Lab. Being on email list provides you additional benefits like some exclusive content, webinar’s, free goodies and all of it will be FREE. Please click the link above to join now or put your email address in the below box and hit subscribe.

No spam, ever. Only great stuff.

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Saturday-Pentacle

Saturday-Pentacle – Week 51 – 2017

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Saturday-Pentacle, Week 51 Issue

Merry Christmas!

Wish you a merrier year ahead.

“Saturday-Pentacle”

Saturday-Pentacle - Week 21 - 2017

Purchase of the week –

It’s Christmas and finally, I bought something which I was dreaming of for quite a long time. A road bike.

Triban 500

From my childhood, I was pretty inclined towards bicycles. I got my first bike when I was about 7-8 years old. But as I grow to be an adult, the cycling faded away from my life. But the love of cycling didn’t. Around 2014 end I got a mountain bike again but while shifting places had to give it away. So finally this Christmas I got a new bike and it’s a road bike.

I can’t wait to burn the tarmac with it and finally go on touring on my bike.

My most popular Instagram post recently —

Merry Christmas!
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Christmas weekend is coming to an end as I’m writing this. I wish it was longer. But i bet we say that about all good things. We wish that we hold had them longer.
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But its not about clinging hard to them, but it’s about letting go to see them again. That’s the spirit of Christmas.
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I watched The Polar Express. I spent time with family. I listened to music. Spent time riding a bike. How did you spent your Christmas?
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Do you believe? I believe.
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P.S.: You’ll know the meaning of the last line if you have seen The Polar Express! If not, what are you waiting for, go watch it.

Article(s) I’m enjoying (and pondering) —

Elon Musk told us he was sending a car to space – It’s Christmas and seems like Elon is sending Christmas gift to Mars. Yeah, you read it right, Elon Musk who is the founder of SpaceX and often called real life Tony Stark, is sending a Tesla Roadster car as a payload in his rocket, Falcon Heavy, which is going to Mars and beyond.

I thought it was some kind of joke, but then SpaceX and Elon confirmed the payload and the car is actually going to space.

I’m reading/watching/listening to —

Few movies from my Christmas movie marathon list –

The Polar Express – This is one of my favourite Christmas movies. Animated movie having Tom Hanks in few of the characters and voices, including the Santa Clause.

Apocalypto – Finally I’m gonna watch this movie. Another Mel Gibson directed movie including blood, gore, jungle and high pace chase and action scenes where the story of a Mayan tribal man ‘Jaguar Paw’ is depicted. He is captured by the Mayan kingdom rulers and how he comes back home fighting.

Approaching the Unknown – Another mars movie. Not keeping high expectation as The Martian but still will watch it.

Quote I’m pondering on lately –

“Love isn’t something you find. Love is something that finds you.”

― Loretta Young

Until Next Saturday!

Thanks for reading.

Himanshu

A couple of things I could use your help with:

  1. Have a relevant topic, which I should be covering? Write to me directly or fill out this form and let me know.
  2. Join my reader’s list – It helps us a lot when you become a subscriber, it smoothens you experience on Lifestyle Architecture Lab. Being on email list provides you additional benefits like some exclusive content, webinar’s, free goodies and all of it will be FREE. Please click the link above to join now or put your email address in the below box and hit subscribe.

No spam, ever. Only great stuff.

Continue Reading

Saturday-Pentacle

Saturday-Pentacle – Week 50 – 2017

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Saturday-Pentacle, Week 50 Issue

“Saturday-Pentacle”

Saturday-Pentacle - Week 21 - 2017

App of the week –

Digital Detox Challenge

Recently I found this app from Urbandroid on Android Play Store, which helps you getting away from the smartphone use. It’s called Digital Detox Challenge.

How this app works is – you set a time for not using your phone for that duration like 10 minutes, 20 minutes, half an hour, 1 hour, half a day, 1 day or 2 days, whatever duration you want. In that duration, you cannot use your phone. This app blocks everything but a timer within this app, which displays how much time has left until you can use your phone again. That screen also keeps on showing some inspiration on what to do in the free time when you are not using the device.

If you started the timer and want to use the phone again, there is a monetary fine for that, but you can set the stakes as per your liking. Low stakes would mean, 1$ or in the Indian market around 10 Rs. Medium stakes would mean 5$ and high would be around 10$. So If you give up to the craving for using the smartphone, you have to pay. That makes your craving fade away automatically.

A pretty cool app, I used it a lot in this holiday season.

If you want to try the Digital Detox Challenge, it’s available only on Android. Get the app here.

My most popular Instagram post recently —

Just believe in your dreams!
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People usually tend to tell you that you are doing it wrong. That you got it all wrong.
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But it’s your story not theirs. So you have to write it.
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Believe in your dreams and work hard to gradually move towards them.
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You will get there.

Article(s) I’m enjoying (and pondering) —

This Tweet from Dann Petty, who is one of my favourite freelance graphic designers, gave a pretty good list of books on creativity. Plus the conversation in the comment and the GIF responses were hilarious. Check it out.

I’m reading/watching/listening to —

The Ballad Of Cleopatra by The Lumineers – After watching Sleep On The Floor and listening to it for endless times, I wanted more. I couldn’t stop watching it, I wanted more of that story. I didn’t know if there was more.

But last week when I stumbled upon The Ballad Of Cleopatra, I was overjoyed after watching it. I felt that I found what I was looking for. The whole story. This one is amazing. Just watch the song ‘Sleep On The Floor’ first and then ‘The Ballad Of Cleopatra’. It’amazing.

Quote I’m pondering on lately –

“The scariest moment is always just before you start.”

― Stephen King, On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft

Until Next Saturday!

Thanks for reading.

Himanshu

A couple of things I could use your help with:

  1. Have a relevant topic, which I should be covering? Write to me directly or fill out this form and let me know.
  2. Join my reader’s list – It helps us a lot when you become a subscriber, it smoothens you experience on Lifestyle Architecture Lab. Being on email list provides you additional benefits like some exclusive content, webinar’s, free goodies and all of it will be FREE. Please click the link above to join now or put your email address in the below box and hit subscribe.

No spam, ever. Only great stuff.

Continue Reading

Saturday-Pentacle

Saturday-Pentacle – Week 49 – 2017

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Saturday-Pentacle, Week 49 Issue

“Saturday-Pentacle”

Saturday-Pentacle - Week 21 - 2017

Post of the week –

Podcast Episode 10 – Reflections

In this episode of my podcast show, I talk about reflections, travelling and a quote from Ray Dalio.

Please enjoy and if possible please leave me a review in iTunes Podcast comments. That will help this podcast to be discovered by more people.

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My most popular Instagram post recently —

Coming home…

Traveling to Rajasthan in the month of December, when the weather is winter smitten, always brings back memories. We traveled on Road, Rail, Air and sometimes on feet. It was a good home coming.

A little bit of nostalgia, a little bit of slowing down, a little bit of cousin love, a little bit of chilly rides and a little bit of doing nothing. That sums it all up.⠀
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Now its time to say Good Bye again, until next time…

Article(s) I’m enjoying (and pondering) —

Nike’s Quest to Beat the Two-Hour Marathon Comes Up Oh So Short – If you are a long distance runner, you would know how gruelling a full marathon distance can be. Even if you have conquered the 42.195km distance multiple times, you can never not be humble to this distance, you respect it.

As I’ve run the full marathon distance couple of times and have completed it in around 5 hours time. When I ran the full marathon last time in Mumbai Marathon and the Kenyan wolf pack flew past me it gave me goosebumps. Tanzania’s Alphonce Simbu won the men’s elite full marathon event with a timing of 2:09:32  hrs at 2017 Mumbai Marathon. This timing itself is unreal to me.

But when I heard about Nike’s attempt (Nike Breaking2) to achieve the unhuman feat of beating the 2 hours Marathon timing, it gave me thrills. Last week after my Half Marathon run at Vasai Virar (India) event, while coming back home I got a chance to read this story of Eliud Kipchoge, a 32-year-old Kenyan who is an Olympic world champion as well in Marathon running, attempted to break 2 hours in a full marathon distance.

Reading this story itself was so intriguing that I almost read it thrice. His attempt was heroic but he failed to break 2. He fell short of it by 25 seconds. But his statement will inspire you to be focused on one thing that ignites you –

“I was aiming for 1:59, but I’m happy to run two hours in [a] marathon. The world is only 25 seconds away,” he said.

I’m reading/watching/listening to —

Casey Brown – This Is Home – This short movie on Casey Brown who is a mountain biker in Canada, is inspiring. Got to see this last week on Vimeo.

“Yea I guess as a kid, you have limitless dreams and you can kind of think of whatever you want to do, you can do. But as you get older and especially after graduating high school, you got to think of how you can, you know make ends meet and stuff. So during those times, dreams can either slip away from you, if you let them, or you can pour your heart into it and really make it work.” – Casey Brown

Quote I’m pondering on lately –

“Christmas is a season not only of rejoicing but of reflection.”

― Winston Churchill

Until Next Saturday!

Thanks for reading.

Himanshu

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